This week marked a major change at KCCI. After 39 years, 29 as the station’s news director, Dave Busiek is retiring.

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Dave poured his heart and soul into this community and our station ensuring KCCI could be counted on to cover the important stories, hold the powerful accountable, provide life-saving information during times of severe weather – and have some fun along the way.

He was only the third news director in the 63-year history of KCCI.

Along the way he’s hired, trained and mentored numerous anchors, reporters and photographers. He covered six governors, every caucus since George H.W. Bush beat heavily favored Ronald Reagan in 1980. The strength of his leadership was especially needed during KCCI’s coverage of the great floods of ’93 and on 9-11.

The partnership he nurtured with CBS was instrumental to KCCI’s participation the 2015 Democratic Presidential Debate at Drake University and we’ve been honored with countless awards for excellence under his guidance.

For Dave’s entire career he passionately led the fight to allow cameras in federal courts, including testifying before Congress.

The impact of Dave Busiek will be felt in our newsroom and across this country for some time.

His real legacy though is as a friend, husband - to his wife Laura - and father to three wonderful children – Annie, Ben and Julia. He is loved by all of us. Dave, thank you isn’t enough. Godspeed my friend and enjoy retirement – you’ve earned it.